SmartWatch – MTM Watch

MTM Watch

Watches engineered with precision and built to withstand the most extreme conditions. The MTM Hypertec Chrono watch is an entry level watch that lives up to its name with confidence and prestige. Shop Collection. SPECIAL OPS / Collection.

publish date

May 30, 2020

project type

Smartwatch

client

MTM Watch

About MTM Smartwatch

As part of MTM’s evolution, we helped introduce a rugged smartwatch experience that fuses tactical engineering with connected technology. Designed for users in high-demand environments, the smartwatch features were carefully curated: biometric sensors, GPS, weather alerts, and mission timers, all packaged in a shock-resistant, water-sealed casing. Our role included UX design for the companion app and product integration strategy, ensuring that even advanced features remained intuitive, purposeful, and in sync with the MTM brand philosophy of performance under pressure.

concept

MTM Watch set out to develop its first-ever digital timepiece, a smartwatch that would preserve the brand’s reputation for tactical durability and precision, while introducing new levels of connectivity, usability, and everyday utility. The concept was to merge MTM’s analog legacy with a wearable digital experience designed for elite users who demand both performance and presence.

challenge

Our primary intent with Status v2 was to address critical pain points from the original analog-inspired version, while paving the way for MTM’s first fully digital movement. The original smartwatch experience presented several challenges: overwhelming information density, inconsistent UI behaviors, and limited engagement with core activity functions like heart rate and goal tracking.

solution

We pivoted toward a design language that simplified interactions, bringing forward only the most essential data at a glance. The interface was restructured to prioritize clarity and responsiveness, streamlining access to activity insights and key functions. Every detail was crafted to reinforce MTM’s premium, tactical identity. This approach elevated the user’s confidence in the product and also significantly increased daily engagement with fitness and performance features.

UI/UX Persona

Qi Zanh, Elite Sport

“I need a watch that keeps up when I’m training, traveling, and crashing deadlines. Something tough enough for the tatami, but smart enough to sync with my life.”

Goals: Purchase a durable, high-performance watch that complements a rugged lifestyle
Pain Points: Limited time to shop, needs clear specs and assurance of durability

Demographics

Age: 25 – 40
Education: secondary Education
Occupation: Prime Kumite Championship

Behavior: a younger, tech-savvy, who likes Xtreme sports.
Active urban professional or enthusiast—someone who conceptualizes Modern-nomadic aesthetics but expects smart connectivity, fitness tracking, and a seamless digital experience alongside rugged durability.

Intro & Context

This project is about redesigning MTM’s ‘Status’ smartwatch. It’s a luxury watch that shows smart notifications and has a long battery life. The goal was to connect better with busy professionals who want smart features without drawing too much attention. The main user is a young, tech-savvy person who likes fitness, modern design, and a strong, reliable watch.

Intent of the Redesign

The primary intent of the redesign is to improve user experience by enhancing usability, accessibility, and visual appeal. This initiative aims to address existing pain points, streamline navigation, and align the interface with modern design standards. By incorporating user feedback and leveraging current technologies, the redesign seeks to create a more intuitive and engaging experience that better supports user needs and business goals.

User-Centered Decisions vs. Stakeholder Expectations

A successful redesign balances user needs with stakeholder goals. User-centered decisions prioritize intuitive, accessible experiences based on research and testing, while stakeholders focus on business objectives, branding, and constraints. Aligning both requires open communication, prioritization, and compromise to ensure user satisfaction and organizational success without compromising either.

A complete case study outlines the full design process—from research to final delivery. It highlights problem definition, user insights, ideation, prototyping, testing, and implementation. Each phase should show how decisions were made, how user and stakeholder needs were balanced, and the impact of the final solution

End-to-End Case Study Breakdown

Watch

Designing for Time and Emotion

Watches are more than timekeepers. they're personal statements, memories, and experiences. Our inspiration began with understanding how users connect emotionally with their watches: the feel of the material, the elegance of the dial, and the story behind each tick. This phase was about exploring aesthetics, craftsmanship, and what makes a timepiece truly timeless.

User Interaction 95%

Branding Lead 87%

Sketch

Integrated Design

Our goal was to bridge the gap between analog heritage and digital innovation by crafting an interface that feels intuitive from the very first tap.

We designed a minimalist, urban-nomad inspired experience that doesn’t just function well, it looks and feels unmistakably MTM, reinforcing the brand’s tactical DNA at every step.

And by focusing on seamless connectivity and smart feature discovery, we helped users not only stay engaged but genuinely enjoy interacting with the watch and app, deepening both satisfaction and loyalty.

Smartwatch

Wireframe

Smartwatch

High Fidelity

Smartwatch

Prototype

Brand face

Smartwatch

Prototype

Controls

Smartwatch

Prototype

Options

More about the smartwatch

Design

MTM’s smartwatch initiative was an ambitious step into the connected wearables space, bringing together tactical design and intelligent tech. Our team collaborated on the strategy and digital experience design for a smartwatch that could thrive in demanding, off-grid environments. We crafted a minimalist yet powerful UI for the companion app, prioritizing mission-critical features like heart rate monitoring, GPS navigation, altitude tracking, and encrypted push notifications.

After Effects

Motion & Prototype Videos

To bring the MTM digital experience to life, we created a series of animated videos using After Effects that showcased product features, UI flows, and the AR customization tool in action. These high-impact motion pieces were used for marketing, onboarding, and internal presentations. We also developed interactive prototypes to simulate the user journey, giving stakeholders a realistic preview of the interface, transitions, and responsiveness before development began.

More efficient 95%

Easier to use 87%

Visual style is an essential part of a project as it helps create a standardized system of colors, fonts, buttons, text input, and many other components that will be combined and displayed on user screens.

Style Guide

Figma

Component Library

The component library was created to facilitate the interaction between designers and developers and preserve the visual concept of the application.

Font Combination

Typography

Introducing Gotham Black & Futura - By pairing the bold and solid Gotham Black with the clean, timeless elegance of Futura, you create a dynamic contrast. Gotham Black grabs attention, while Futura provides a sleek, balanced complement for subheadings or body text.

Palette

Color Scheme

The color palette was deliberately restrained to reflect the brand’s tactical and military roots. We used a spectrum of neutral grays, deep charcoals, and black tones to convey strength, sophistication, and durability. Accents were used sparingly — red for alerts and calls to action — ensuring the watches remained the focal point. The use of negative space and consistent grayscale backgrounds helped highlight product detail and enhanced the overall perception of luxury.

next project

MTM Watch

About MTM Smartwatch

UI/UX Persona

Intro & Context

Intent of the Redesign

User-Centered Decisions vs. Stakeholder Expectations

End-to-End Case Study Breakdown

Designing for Time and Emotion

Integrated Design

Wireframe

High Fidelity

Prototype

Prototype

Prototype

Design

Motion & Prototype Videos

Style Guide

Component Library

Typography

Color Scheme

useful links

Portfolio

Contact Me

Hi@KinLuca.com

Hi@kinluca.com

Hi@kinluca.com

Hi@kinluca.com

Hi@kinluca.com